Centrifugal fixture



May 26, 1925. 1,539,481

' C. G. HAWLEY CENTRIFUGAL FIXTURE Filed Nov. 28 1924 lnvento r- Patented May 26, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES GILBERT HAWLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO CENTRIFIX CORPORATION, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

CENTRIFUGAL FIXTURE.

Application filed November 28, 1924. Serial No. 752,720.

To 701107) it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES GILBERT HAwLuY, a citizen of the United'states, residing at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements entitled Centrifugal Fixtures, of which the following is a specification.

In all processes of distillation and evaporation, and throughout the arts of fluid purification and'rectification. as by separators. it is both assumed and desired that the fluid evolved or treated shall leave the drum or container in a pure state, free from foreign substances, such as heavier liquids and solids. But as a rule the conditions controlling and modifying the operationin some measure defeat this primary expectation and purpose, and, eventuate in producing or permitting the escape of impure fluids.

The objects of the invention are to perfect such processes of purification and to provide a simple and reliable device or apparatus for the performance of the perfected process. These objects and the specific character of the invention will presently appear in further detail.

The present invention comprises a centrifugal fixture; that is, a device which does not itself move or rotate, but nevertheless reliably induces a strong centrifugal action within the escaping or discharged fluid, whereby the foreign substances are separated and got rid of. Further the invention comprehends a centrifugal fixture from which the accumulations of foreign substances are certainly and definitely removed from the flowing or escaping fluid in two directions and one or both accumulations returned to the container or one such accumulation may be discharged externally if it be desired to rid the container thereof.

Further and particularly this invention comprises a centrifugal fixture of the construction and performance above described and which is characterized by a movable or adjustable element by which the capacity and performance of the fixture may be adjusted or governed to suit various or desired conditions of operation.

T lie-invention and further of its details will be readily understood on reference to the drawing that forms part of this specification, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-section of a steam boiler drum or the like, equipped with an adjustable or regulable centrifugal fixture embodying this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan or end View of the fixture partly in' section on the line 2 of Fig. 1 and partly on the line -2 thereof. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of a tuyere ring and its adjustable bottom in a modified form, and Fig. 4 is an end view taken from Fig. 3, partly in section on the line 4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. l, 1 represents the pressure drum, 2 the liquid level therein, 3 the outlet opening and 4 the nozzle proper. It will be understood that the ofitake pipe joins the nozzle; The end of the drum contains the usual manhole with its cover plate (not shown). But for the presence of the novel apparatus comprising this invention, the fluid or vapor leaving the steam or other space 5 would pass directly to the nozzle 4. Instead, this novel apparatus, though composed of parts all of which are stationary, that is non-rotative, subjects the escaping fluid to a rapid whirling action. In consequence of this rapid whirling action substances heavier than the fluid are effectively separated therefronr before the fluid leaves the outlet.

In its best form the apparatus comprises two main portions, to wit, the top member 6 and the bottom member 7. The upper part of the member 7 fits into the bottom of the member 6 and most conveniently the parts are fixedly, though separably, attached one to the other as by means of a plurality of bolts 8 and pressure clips 9. It may be at once explained that as the parts must needs be introduced through the manhole of the drum they must be of a size to permit such introduction. The device as a whole primarily takes its size from that of the outlet 3 to be served. Manholes are of standard size. The smaller sizes of this apparatus may be introduced intact, but the larger sizes must be made in separate parts. and devices of the largest sizes. though rarely requiring top members 6 which are made in two parts, usually are fitted with lower parts, i. e. tuyi-ire rings 7 which, for con- :porting arms or brackets 6.

'to or against the top of the drum 1..

It will now be apparent that the member 6 is essentially a hollow ring. The upstanding part 6 is a collar, which is larger than the outlet 3 of the drum. Its top is shaped-to fit against the top of the drum and make a tight joint therewith. In lieu of a joint at this point the joint may be established between the top of the member 6 and the nozzle 4, as by means of a short nipple or sleeve v(not shown). In such case the nipple is held in the top of the member 6 and obviously is pushed up into the nozzle 4 by the pressure of the supporting bolts 10. When the nipple is used the collar 6 need not be used.

In-the top of the hollow ring proper is the central opening .6 In its bottom is the larger central opening 6. Between the two is the still larger annular cavity or centrifugal race 6 the bottom 6* of which is beveled or coned to merge with the margin of the large opening 6. The portion 6 formingthe top of the cavity 6 surrounding the outlet opening 6", markedly overhangs the larger opening 6. A slight inclination downward toward the center may or may not be given the annular top surfacet. Within the portion 6? is the tangential discharge nozzle, 6 the walls of which intersect the periphery of the race 6 and tangentially merge therewith. A pipe nipple 6* in the part 6 completes the top member 6. The annular bottom surface 61 of the member 6 contains a seat or centering sink,-which conveniently receives the top of the lower member or tuyere 7.

A discharge pipe 12 leads downwardly from the nipple 6*. This pipe may terminate with an open end near the bottom of the drum, but preferably leads out through the end of the drum and is connected with an automatic discharge trap. The function of the ipe will be explained hereafter in connection with the operation of the completeapparatus.

This resent invention, which embraces various like structures by which the defined purposes may be attained, comprehends the employment of tuyeres, i. e. rotation inducing members, of differing constructions but all generally typified by the member 7 herein illustrated. Said member? proper as here shown is made up of a top ring 7, a plurality of angular or tangentially positioned tuyere blades 7 and a bottom ring 7. The inner edges ofthe blades substantially conform to or meet an" imaginary cylinder, incidentally indicated by the circle 7 ofFig. 2. Thisis true also of the inner periphery of the top ring 7?, which also is substantially of a size withhthe large opening (3 in the bottom of the race member 6. T uyere blades of either the overlapping arrangement of Fig. 2 or the non-lapping arrangement of Fig. 4 may be used. Being preferably truly tangential to the'aforesaid imaginary cylinder, both .present tangential impact surfaces to the incoming fluid. The arrangement of Fig. 2 possesses the advantage of both forming and directing the entering streams upon the tangential impact surfaces. A common advantage flows from the fact that the blades form long and relatively thin slots or tuyere openings 7 x and hence, collectively, subdivide the fluid into many thin streams that substantially parallel the axis of the tuyerering I The bottom ring' 7 of the multiply tuyered member 7, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, contains a spider 7 having a central hub 7 The hub is bored to receive a stein 7. Preferably both are threaded so that the stem can readily be adjusted tangentially on the hub of the tuyerebottom. The upper or inner end of the stem carries the bottom proper 7 of the tuyere ring. This bottom proper may be circular, as well shown in Figs. 1 and 2, ormay be of a ratchet like formation as illustrated at 7 in Figs. 3 and 4. The former is preferable The effect of such adjustment is adjust the centrifugal fixture to nicely conform to the highest requirements encountered in the operation of steam boilers.

,evaporators, concentrators and the like; Further, this feature of my invention has a broad application tocentrifugal' fixtures of many types or designs suited to the purirying of fluids of various kinds moving in 1 or fromdrums and conduits of different sorts. r

g It may here be explained that when desired a suitable connection may be employed between the stem 7' and the exterior of the pipe or drum containing the Centrifugal fixture proper.

As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the movable tuyere bottom 7 may be operated and held by a plurality of jackscrews'Th-in lieu of the single operating stem illustrated in Fig. 1.

An optional guardor hood may ormay not be used to prevent the dashing or splashing of slugs of fluid against the tuyere'ring 7. This guard appears in dotted lines 13 in Fig. l. The guard depends from the top casting. 1t servesto obviate the difficulties of side splashing and squirrel-caging in the drum, the same surrounding and in large measure defending the open tuyres of the tuyere ring.

Being of little altitude and being suspended from the top of the drum'it is obvious that the bottom of this centrifugal fixture is well removed from the agitated surface of the liquid in the drum. The velocity of the emergence of the fluid at the nozzle varies with the difference of pressure within and without the drum. In practice these velocities are high. Approaching the fixture, the vapor or other fluid impacts its surfaces. Finding exits between the tuyere blades and directed by the outer surfaces thereof the fluid is formed into the described relatively thin streams. These streams obviously enter the operatively cylindrical tuyere ring tangentially and encountering the annular arrangement of blades, combine to set up a very rapid whirling action within the tuyere ring and the top member of the fixture. On entering the tuyere openings the streams of fluid forthwith engage or impact the inner surfaces of the tuyre blades. These surfaces being preferably tangential in position, conform to the normal angle of incidence of globules of liquid or particles carried by the streams of fluid. Due tothis favorable position and relation the impact is non-disturbing in its effect upon the progress of such globules and particles and instead ofbeing swept away they are virtually left or retained upon the inner surfaces of the'tuyere blades. The accumulation of such impurities is proportionate to the quantity thereof present in the.

fluid passing through the fixture, and, while the deposit takes on the general whirling action of the body of fluid within the tuyre ring, that very whirling action insures the retention of the accumulated substances at the periphery of the whirling body, that is, on the inner sectional periphery of the tuyere ring.

Aswill be apparent, the main or general movement of the whirling body within the tuyere ring is axially toward the outlet (l which affords a free passage for the purified fluid. The upperward sweeping action results in lifting the deposit of impurities to the top of the tuyere ring and into the bottom opening of the race member 6. Arriving there, the deposit of impurities is immediately forced outwardly by the strong whirling action of the body of fluid within the fixture, that is, by. centrifugal force. In this'manner the heavier substances are posi tively and definitely removed from the main stream of fluid just prior to the escape of the fluid at the outlet. And obviously the heavier substances, whirling at relatively high velocity in the relatively remote race 6*. are successfully retained in th. race against possible removal by the outward sweep of the fluid. Indeed, the very effort of the fluid to escape longitudinally through the opening, irrespective of-whirling action, tends to crowd the heavier substances into the remote parts of the immediately adjacent race. Once arrived in the race the heavier sub stances whirling therein immediately encounter the substantially tangential peripheral discharge opening or nozzle (3 and leavethe fixture through that avenue. Sutficient force is accumulated by the heavier substances to carry them well into the discharge pipe 12. This, added to the elevation of the fixture, admits of the return of the heavier substances to the undersurface portion of the fluid in the drum. Generally, however, it is preferred toget rid of the foreign substances by discharging them from the drum. Outside the drum an automatic discharge trap should be used to prevent the free escape of fluid from the ii drum and yet provide for the collection and intermittent discharge of the foreign substances delivered thereto by the pipe 12.

The main preventive action of this typical centrifugal fixture having been escribed, attention is directed to the excess of slug dump openings or spaces provided at the bottoin or closed end of the tuyere member 7. These spaces or openings appear between the several tuyere blades 7 and the periphery 7 of the adjustable bottom or follower 7 Similarly they are found in Figs. 3 aud t. If desired additional openings may be provided near the periphery of the movable bottom or follower. Should the quantity of moisture or other impurities entering the tuyere ring at a giv n instant be of such weight that the carrier fluid, though moving with great velocity, lacks all of the energy needed to set that mass or quantity into rapid rotation and whirl it upward or forward into the collecting and discharging race, there would be danger of the spreading of the impurities across the bottom of the tuyere ring and a failure to completely rid the carrier fluid thereof due to the impurities being caught in the cen-' tral uptake vortex necessarily existing at the center of the whirling body of fluid in the tuyere ring. The function of the delOS llO

l'lll the tuyere structure.

momentarily overcome the energy of the whirling streams of carrier fllli(l.- It may be pointed out that the drop'of pressure within the tuyere ring as contrasted with the pressure in the surrounding space'5 is negli gible. Further, as should be apparent, these streams entering tangentially into a tuyere chamber (the-1 space defined by the annular series of blades) ,which is of greater diame tcr than theoutlet6,'have"a distinct tendency to divide, that is, the upper part of each stream' initially tends to not only move circularly within the tuyere, but i also tends pronouncedly .to move upward: The lower part of each stream on the other hand, tends to movejdownwart The proportion teiid- 'ing to move upward is very" much"greater than that tendingto move downward by reason of the large opening'atthe top of Thus, it happens that even infthe'absenceof heavy slugs there is a eonstant'tendency to deliver some portion" of the burden of moisture or other impuri ties upon the bottom or floor ofthe tuyejre'. structure. Except for the openings at the;

periphery of that floor such smallquantity 'of impurities 'might be c'arriedpacross the floorand to the center thereof andfind es-,

Q cape upward along the axisofthe fixture.

' It shouldnow be apparent thata's the race that is closely adjacent the fluid outlet is of ample capacity to dispose of all impurities lifted into the same and as provision is now made to prevent the retention of impurities on the bottom ofthe fixture, the latter becomes well adapted to the ridding ofthe fluid of the heavier substances or impurities under all conditions of actual operation.

Figs. 3 and 4; are specially referred to in the matter of the widened top ring 7' for the tuyere ring. This feature may be included in any and all of the tuyere rings (-mbodied by this invention. By widening the ring 7* toward the center an annular overhanging shoulder or abutment 7 is formed at the tops of the tuyer blades.

fluid 'and contained foreign expelling any accumulation. of substances downward or outward at the edges of the movable or adjustable bottom.

The centrifugal fixture abovetypified ac-,

tually performs and may be relied upon to perform in most satisfactory manner. the objccts and purposes. set'forth in the opening of this specification. v

'various modifications of'the illustrated structure will readily suggest themselves to let and about the extended axis thereof,

thereby icollecting the heavier substances cci'ilrituga'lly. and withholding them from said axis, modifying as need be the axial extent of the rotation with relation to the volume of flojw through said outlet, permittinga marked lateral expansion of the whirling a'ction immediately adjacent said outlet and thereby laterally removing the collected substances from the region of said outlet, an(l, completing the state of separationof the said substances at a point laterally removed from said-outlet, while permitting the purified fluid to depart through ,said outlet.

2. The process of purifying fluids that consists in setting the fluid into motion toward an outlet causing and localizing the rapid rotation of the fluid ad'acentsaid outlet and about the extended axis thereof, thereby centrifugally withholding the heavier substances from said axis, adjusting the axial extent of the rotation with relation to the flow through said outlet, permitting a quantity of said substances to escape longitudinally in a direction opposite from said outlet, permitting a marked lateral expansion of the whirling action immediately adjacent said outlet and thereby laterally removing the remainder of the heavier substances' from the region of said outlet, and, con'lpleting the state of separation of the last mentioned substances at a point laterally removed from said outlet, while permitting the purified fluid to depart through said outlet.

3. The process of purifying fluids that consists in causing and localizing the rapid rotation of a stream of fluid beneath an outlet prior to the exit of the fluid through said outlet, while permitting a steady upward flow of fluid, thereby simultai-ieously centrifugally separating heavier substances from the fluid, permitting a portion of.;said

substances to escape at the bottom ioiflie T remainder of substances from the fluid while permitting the purified fluid to rise through said outlet, discharging the elevated substances at a point laterally remote'from said outlet and modifying the axial extent of aforesaid localized rotation with rela- {ion to the flow of fluid through said out- 4. The process of purifying fluids that consists in setting fluid in motion toward an outlet and causing the coaxial rotation of the fluid adjacent said outlet, permitting a marked lateral expansion of such rotation immediately adjacent said outlet, collecting and discharging the centrifugally separated substances at a point laterally remote from said outlet and from time to time modifying the axial extent of the region of fluid rotation and thereby adjusting the operation to the varying flow of fluid at said outlet.

5. The process of purifying fluids that consists in causing and varying the axial extent of the rapid rotation of the carrier fluid adjacent the fluid outlet, thereby centrifugally separating heavier substances from the carrier fluid, causing the progressive momentary movement of the fluid and substances in a direction axially opposite from said outlet'and permitting the discharge of some of the separated substances in that direction, permitting the movement of the remainder of the separated substances toward said outlet, but allowing the quick rotative expansion of the fluid and substances in a plane immediately adjacent said outlet and discharging the latter substances at the periphery of such plane While permitting the purified fluid to escape through said outlet. 6. A centrifugal fluid purifying device comprising a race member having a central fluid outlet and a peripheral discharge opening for separated substances in combination with a coaxial annular tuyere adapted to whirlingly direct the fluid into said race member and said tuyere having an adjustable bottom opposite the central outlet in said race member, as and for the purposes indicated.

7. A centrifugal fluid purifying device comprising a race member having a central fluid outlet and a peripheral discharge opening for separated substances in combination with a coaxial annular tuyere' adapted to whirlingly direct the fluid into said race member and said tuyere having an adjustable bottom opposite the central outlet in said race member, and said bottom being adapted to peripherally release some of the heavier substances before they can reach said race.

8. A centrifugal fluid purifying device comprising a multiplytuyered ring in com-- bination with a relatively adjustable tuyerc ring bottom for said ring whereby to vary the length of the tuyercs of said ring substantially as described.

9. A centrifugal fluid purifying device comprising a multiply tuyered ring in combination with a relatively adjustabletuyere ring bottom for said ring whereby to vary the length of the tuyeres of said ring and a receiver for the heavier substances separated within said tuyere ring and means for discharging the heavier substances from said receiver.

10. A centrifugal fluid purifying device comprising an annular receiver-incombination with a multiply tuyered member of smaller diameter adapted to whirlingly direct fluid into said receiver. a suitable central fluid outlet, a smaller discharge opening leading from said receiver for the disposal of the heavier substances delivered thereto by the tuyered member and means for modifying the aggregate effective area of the tuyered member.

11. A centrifugal fluid purifying device comprising an annular receiver in combination with a multiply tuyered member of smaller diameter adapted to Whirlingly'direct fluid into said receiver, a suitable central fluid outlet, a smaller discharge opening leading from said receiver for the disposal of the heavier substances delivered thereto by the tuyered member and means for modifying the aggregate effective area of the tuyered member Without modifying the width of the tuyeres in said member.

12. A centrifugal liquid purifying device comprising an annular receiver having a pcripheral outlet for heavier substances and a central outlet for the lighter components of the fluid, in combination with a substantially cylindrical multiply tuyered ring adapted to whirlingly and coaxially direct the fluid into said receiver, an adjustable bottom within said ring and said ring having an annular abutment 7 overhanging the periphery of said bottom.

13. The centrifugal fluid purifying device comprising a part containing a small and a large central opening and a larger intermediate race chamber, the latter having a peripheral discharge nozzle, in combination with a multiple tangential tuyerering, coaxial with said openings and having its end attached to the margin of the large opening in said part. an axially adjustable bottom member closing the other'end of said tuyere ring, and, a fluid container enclosing said tuyere ring.

In testimony whereof, I have-hereunto set my hand this 24th day of November, A. D. 1924.

CHARLES GILBERT HAWLEY. 

